Toxin gene from the bacteria photorhabdus luminescens

Abstract

The invention relates to the identification and isolation of a polynucleotide molecule encoding a new class of protein insecticidal toxin produced by the bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens . The polynucleotide molecule may be incorporated into, for example, insect-specific viruses (including entomopox and nuclear polyhedrosis viruses), bacteria (including Gracilicutes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes and Mendosicutes ), protozoa, yeast and plants for control of pest insects.

1. An isolated polynucleotide molecule encoding an insecticidal toxin, said polynucleotide molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       2. A recombinant microorganism, the microorganism being characterised in that it is transformed with and expresses the polynucleotide molecule according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       3. The recombinant microorganism according to  claim 2 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a protozoon and a yeast. 
     
     
       4. A method of producing an insecticidal toxin, said method comprising:
 (i) culturing the microorganism according to  claim 2  under conditions suitable for the expression of the polynucleotide molecule; and 
 (ii) recovering the insecticidal toxin. 
 
     
     
       5. A plant transformed with, and capable of expressing the polynucleotide molecule according to  claim 1 .